No.2/2021 Mitcham Historical Society Newsletter Incorporating Mitcham memories ISSN 2652-6018 (online) In this issue: Feature article: Adelaide Town Hall & Electra House also • MHS Programme for 2021 • Colonel Light Gardens Centenary Lecture • Heavy Transport Vehicles and Cross Road • Waite Gatehouse campaign update and more The Mitcham historical society iNC 1 Publication Notes Editorial The MHS Newsletter is a collaborative effort and its purpose is the reporting of activities, publicising the Society’s calendar of events, providing stories of historical interest about people, places and events related to the City of Mitcham, and other matters of current interest including updates from the Brownhill Creek Association. Letters to the Editor are welcome and can be sent by email. The Newsletter is managed and edited by Geoff Sauer. Disclaimer Views and opinions expressed in the Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the Mitcham Historical Society Inc. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content, but responsibility is not accepted for any errors or omissions that are beyond the Society’s control. Privacy In accordance with the requirements of its Constitution the Society maintains a Register of its members (name, address, telephone number, email address). The information contained in the Register is only used for interactions between the Society and its members. The information is not shared, sold or provided to any third party. Information provided to the Society by email is provided at the sender’s risk and the Society will not be held responsible for any unintended use or disclosure. 2 CONTENTS 2. Publication Notes 3. Contents 4 . Chairperson’s Message 6. MHS background 7. MHS Achievements & Membership Information 8. MHS Office Bearers & Contact Details 9. Events Programme 2021 10. April Bus Trip report 11. Colonel Light Gardens Centenary Lecture 12. Feature: Adelaide Town Hall & Electra House 16. Waite Gatehouse campaign report 18. Photo Gallery 20. Upper Sturt PO—community consultation 21. Campaign—get heavy vehicles off Cross Road 23. Mitcham Local History Collection & Grant to Scout Group 24. Corporate Members The Mitcham Historical Society Newsletter incorporating Mitcham Memories Change of Name The name of the newsletter was changed in 2020 to more accurately reflect the newsletter’s purpose: reporting of activities, publicising the Society’s calendar of events, stories of historical interest about people, places and events related to the City of Mitcham, and other matters of current interest. Suggestions for stories or events and activities are always welcome and can be emailed to [email protected] All Rights Reserved E&OE 3 CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE Welcome to you all. Thank you for the support given to the MHS by our patron, Dr. John Newton, Principal of Scotch College, Adelaide and his staff. As coronavirus restrictions eased, we were able to plan with more confidence. It was a wonderful end of year celebration at The Ed with what I thought was the largest member attendance ever. Thank you, Sandy Matz, for putting your organisational skills to work to make this occasion such a success. To begin this year’s events we were treated to a tour of the Adelaide Town Hall with the ever informative Glen Woodward and reminded of the many familiar names who had passed through the Council chamber. Thank you to Ian Strout who organised the occasion with the addition of a friendly lunch. We embarked on a bus trip Sunday 11 April visiting Meadows, Ashbourne and Prospect Hill. Thank you Peter Basedow and Ian Strout for a great day out. We hope you will continue to join us in other events through the year. After a year of action and protest led by Joanna Wells and Professor Warren Jones AO we were able to celebrate the achievement of a Government agreement to deconstruct and reconstruct The Waite Gatehouse in a location more suitable for the University’s purpose. Apart from Joanna and Warren and the many volunteers and supporters that must be thanked specific mention must be made of Ron Bellchambers and local member for Waite Sam Duluk and his team. It has been both enlightening and inspirational to be a small part of a massive effort to draw the community’s attention to an issue of heritage that is under threat such as the Gatehouse. We often take for granted and assume that matters of importance to us as a group concerned about heritage are in good hands are and are well understood by our elected government members. Our recent experience was that this assumption must be challenged many times over. 4 The need to establish and continue an extensive dialogue with like minded people and government members has become increasingly apparent. It is hoped that with the leadership skills of members such as Joanna Wells and Ron Bellchambers that we can continue to play a role in our community in progressing matters of concern into the hands of government decision makers. Whilst campaigning for the retention of the Gatehouse and surrounding trees we asked why such a substantial upgrade to the intersection of Fullarton and Cross Road may have been proposed. We were told that this was an important part of our economic recovery necessary for the creation of jobs. It has become increasingly our realisation that as the North South corridor becomes completed more heavy vehicles will be encouraged to come down Cross Road with the consequential increases in noise, deadly fume emission, loss of life and ultimately the loss the heritage that is Cross Road with the inevitable road widening and further destruction of beautiful buildings and trees. John Wood Chairperson 5 MITCHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY Inc The Mitcham Historical Society (MHS) was formed on 9 November 1977 as a sub-group within the Mitcham Village Art & Crafts Association Incorporated, with aims and objectives including to foster an awareness, preserve and maintain the character of Mitcham Village, to promote the study of local and South Australian history and to promote the collection, and preservation of material relating to local and state history. The committee also formed the nucleus of a consultative group available to advise on local heritage matters. After years of lobbying, the Mitcham Urban Conservation Area of some 29 hectares was placed on the Register of the National Trust in Canberra. The Mitcham Village Conservation Zone, an area originally established in 1840 still retains much of its original colonial architecture and is one of the oldest European settlements in the State. (The District Council of Mitcham formed in 1853, and was the first local government body to have been proclaimed outside of the City of Adelaide). The Society helped in the formation of the Council funded Mitcham Heritage Research Centre -this group of volunteers is committed to historical research and maintains, enlarges and promotes the Local History Collection begun by the Mitcham Historical Society. The MHS became an independent organisation on 25 September 2007. The MHS is not only an interactive social group promoting the education of historical matters, but also involved in raising public awareness required to preserve the heritage in the local area. It is only through the efforts of concerned individuals and groups such as the MHS, that the City of Mitcham’s heritage can be protected for the benefit and appreciation of future generations. 6 MHS ACHIEVEMENTS In addition to the history of the MHS on the previous page, together with the Brownhill Creek Association, the MHS contributed financially and in other ways – • to the successful No Dam in Brownhill Creek campaign, • provided funding for the Birthing Tree project and the • Tom Price Memorial in Brownhill Creek Reserve and has also • provided financial support for the restoration of the heritage listed stables now the Scout Hall in Maitland Street, Mitcham, • together with the Heritage Alliance and the Member for Waite led the campaign to save the Waite Gatehouse, • and is playing a major role in the campaign to stop Cross Road becoming a major heavy vehicle freight route. The MHS is hosting a Lecture to mark the Centenary of Colonel Light Gardens - see p11. For four and half decades and only with the assistance of dedicated volunteers and the support of the community, the MHS has achieved much in preserving Mitcham’s history and ensuring that its heritage is an enduring legacy. NEW MEMBERS New members of the MHS are always welcome – if you have friends or acquaintances who are interested in preserving and protecting the history and heritage of the City of Mitcham, please encourage them to contact Joanna Wells: 0403 335 862. Joining before 30 June 2021 and the membership carries through to 30 June 2022. 7 Mitcham Historical Society Inc Officer Bearers 2020—2021 Patron: Dr John Newton Principal, Scotch College Chairperson: John Wood M 0402 781 601 Deputy Chairperson/Secretary/Newsletter Editor: Geoff Sauer M 0412 125 010 Treasurer: Sandra Matz M 0414 747 657 Committee Members Peter Basedow: M 0417 809 227 Ian Strout: (Events) M 0400 027 117 Joanna Wells: (Membership/Campaigns) M 0403 335 862 Peter Reeve: (Webmaster) Contact Details Post: Mitcham Historical Society PO Box 903, Mitcham Shopping Centre SA 5062 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mitchamhistoricalsociety.org.au MHS Committee meetings 2021 Tuesday 27 April, Monday 25 May, Monday 29 June, Tuesday 27 July, Tuesday, 31 August, Tuesday 28 September (and AGM – venue/time TBA), Tuesday 26 October, Tuesday 30 November. If there is